It showed that about $2 billion could be slashed from the annual healthcare budget if Australians increased their dairy intake.

But with about 65 per cent of Australians consuming less than the recommended serves of dairy foods (milk, cheese, yogurt and custard), researchers say there needs to be more education around the role dairy foods can play in sustaining good health.

Study co-author Professor Leonie Segal said the potential healthcare savings associated with consuming the recommended amount of dairy are significant – a sum comparable to the entire public health budget.

“The largest healthcare savings were associated with the maintenance of a healthy body weight,” Prof Segal said.